France (7) 13
Tries: penalty Cons: Skrela Pens: Skrela Drop-goals: Medard
Australia (10) 18
Tries: Moore, Hynes Cons: Giteau Pens: Mortlock, Giteau
Dire kicking from David Skrela ensured Australia continued the southern hemisphere's dominance in Europe this November as they defeated France.
The visitors took a 10-0 lead through a Stirling Mortlock penalty and Stephen Moore's converted try.
A penalty try converted by Skrela, who missed five penalties, made it 10-7.
A Skrela penalty and Maxime Medard drop-goal then put France into the lead but Peter Hynes's try and a Matt Giteau penalty clinched victory for Australia.
The result means the three southern hemisphere giants - Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - retain their 100% record since arriving in Europe at the start of November.
The first half hour at the Stade de France in Paris was scoreless with Toulouse fly-half Skrela failing with a penalty and drop-goal attempt for France, and Mortlock missing a penalty for Australia.
The visitors finally went in front when Thierry Dusatoir was penalised for not rolling away at a ruck just before the half-hour mark and Mortlock landed the resulting penalty.
Within two minutes Moore had burrowed over after a pacy incision from Adam Ashley-Cooper and Giteau's conversion gave Australia a 10-0 lead.
Skrela then missed two more penalties - drawing derisory whistles from the Parisian crowd - but the hosts finally broke their duck seconds before half-time.
A shocking pass from Australia scrum-half Luke Burgess gave France an attacking five metre scrum.
The much-maligned Australia scrum buried years of bad memories against England with a competent performance last weekend, but they buckled in familiar fashion when France got the shove on this time.
Australia flanker George Smith dived in illegally as France were about to power over the line and Les Bleus were awarded a penalty try, with Skrela's conversion making it 10-7 at the break.
Skrela levelled the scores with a penalty after 48 minutes and the hosts went in front when Toulouse full-back Medard landed a long-range drop-goal.
Australia went back in front when quick hands put Hynes over in the right-hand corner but France could have still claimed victory had Skrela's dire place-kicking not continued.
He missed two more kickable shots at goal and his nightmare continued when he was yellow carded for a high tackle with four minutes left in the game.
His opposite number, Giteau, slotted a late penalty and also hit the post with another attempt as Australia claimed a narrow victory.
France: Medard; Malzieu, Jauzion, Baby, Heymans; Skrela, Tillous-Borde; Faure, Szarzewski, Mas, Chabal, Nallet, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Kayser, Lecouls, Millo-Chulski, Picamoles, Tomas, Traille, Palisson.
Australia: Mitchell; Hynes, Ashley-Cooper, Mortlock, Ioane; Giteau, Burgess; Alexander, Moore, Baxter, McMeniman, Sharpe, Mumm, Smith, Palu.
Replacements: Polota-Nau, Kepu, Chisholm, Pocock, Cordingley, Cooper, Tuqiri.
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